LIBRARY OF^ONGRESS. 

Chap....]-... Copyright No. 

Shelf...:..^..?^ 



UNBTED STATES OF AMERICA. 



HEART WHI5PERS 



BY 



ANNA WILSON SIMMONS. 



O, let us not spoil life by any selfishness of ours! 

— Chancellor McDowell. 



DENVER, COLO. 

1895. 







The Herohaots ?ub, Co., Printers, Deuver, Colo. 



TO MY DEAR MOTHER 

AND TO THE MEMORY OF MY BELOVED FATHER, WHOSE 
LOVE STILL SPEAKS TO ME FROM THE SWEET BEYOND 
AND GUARDS AND GLADDENS MY LIFE WITH ITS HOLY 
AND HELPFUL INFLUENCE, THIS BOOK IS AFFECTION- 
ATELY DEDICATED BY THEIK DAUGHTER, 



Wilt take the humble effort that I bring 
Of gladsome hours and weary days, 

And give it kindly thought and wish it well 
If thou eanst apeak no word of praise? 



CONTENTS. 



The Goal is Home 1 

He Knows 2 

Let It Pass 4 

Mizpah 6 

Over It All 7 

Would They Miss Me? 9 

The Letter Tells Me So 11 

Charity 13 

My Inspiration 14 

Over the Hills 16 

Within and Without 17 

God Knows Best 19 

Burden Bearers 20 

We Cannot Know 22 

Slumber Song 24 

Hold Thou My Hand 25 

Only 26 

The Proposal 28 

Heartily 80 

Absent 32 

The Stars 33 



Contents. 



Parted 35 

Consideration 37 

Humility 39 

The Best I Can 40 

In The Woodlands 42 

Too Late 44 

Little Divinity 46 

Wherefore? 48 

A Year Ago 50 

Life Is Too Short 52 

All The Way 54 

Some Day 50 

Burley Grumble 58 

At Dawn and Dusk 60 

The Masters Voice 61 

Some Day, Dear 64 

Death 65 

Christmas Tide 66 

The Lot of All 67 

Weary Not 69 

Thanksgiving 71 

Good Bye 73 

"Teach Me Thy Way" 75 

Unwarned 77 

Why? 79 

It Is Not Long 80 

Since You Came 82 

Do We Think? 84 



CONTENTS. 



Flower Carnival 86 

Beyond Recall . .- 88 

Baby's Riches 90 

Do You Know? 92 

Low Tide 94 

A Morning Service 95 

I Bid Thee Go 97 

To the Children 99 

Not My Way 100 

We Two 102 

My Sufficiency 104 

If I Could Take It Back 105 

Disappointed 107 

I Thank Thee. 110 

Homesick for Heaven 112 

I Love You 113 

"Little Sister" 114 

Why Should It Be? 115 

"I love My Teacher" 117 

The Abiding Presence 120 

In Hoc Spero 122 

God Is Good 128 

The Song of a Day 125 

Harley 127 

My Reason 128 

In Cheyenne Canon 129 

At the Last 131 

If I Should Miss It 133 



CONTENTS. 



May Day in the Country 135 

The Day he Died 136 

In the Firelight 138 

Mother 139 

Aspiring 140 

Keep Sunny 142 




HEART WHISPERS. 



THE GOAL IS HOME. 



I cannot know one incident the monow 

Across the hidden way may bring, 
I cannot linow what heritage of sorrow, 

What rush of pain into my heart may fling 
Its numbing chill; I cannot know if joy will kiss 
My lips, and spill from out the bubbling cup of bliss 
One drop for me. The far horizon's misty light 
Allows no knowledge of Xhe things beyond my sight— 
Of what shall come to me, or go from out my reach 
Is little worth my while to guess. The skybeams teach 
The lesson that my soul is all content to know- 
That whether light or shadow^touch the path I go, 
The goal is home. 



HEART WHISPERS. 



HE KNOWS. 



He knows it all at set of suu, 

The little eiiauds I have ruu, 

How hard I tried aud where I failed, 

Whei'e dreadful wrong and sin prevailed- 

He knows the bui'den and the cross, 

The heavy trial and the loss 

That met me early on the way, 

Aud lingered still at close of day. 

He knows it all at set of sun— 
The little deeds that I have done; 
He knows mj'^ heart with its intent, 
The strength of purpose that I spent 
To bring with loving thought the best 
Of ease and comfort and of rest 
To other hearts, and of my prayer 
To scatter love and lessen vare. 

He knows it all— how tired I grew 
When pressing duties that I knew 
Were mine, I left in part undone, ^ 
And how I grieved at set of sun 



HEART WHISPERS. 



And could not rest till His sweet tone 
Of calming love had gently shown 
Me that He did not blame— He knew 
That I had tried my best to do. 

He knows— He knows I would be true 

In everything— in all I do, 

Tho" sometimes in my human sight 

I fear I do not find the right, 

And bhnider where I meant to be 

Most earnest in my loyalty. 

I am so glad He knows it ail- 
Where shadows rest and sunbeams fall — 
Wh;n daj^s are dark and hours are bi ight, 
And thro' the silence of the night 
I con it over and rejoice 
That should there come to me no voice 
Of present sympathy and -cheer 
To offer comfort in my ear, 
Or lead me forth into the glow 
Of human joy, my heart ill know 
The sweetness of His loving call, 
"Be still, my child, I know it all." 



HEART WHISPERS. 



LET IT PASS. 



Holds your lieart some heavy sorrow? 

Let it pass; 
Brighter light will dawn to-morrow 

Unto you; 
Let no shadow hide life's gladness, 

Deep and true, 
Tho' thei'e sound some note of sadness, 

Let it pass. 



Has some care unseemly met you? 

Let it pass; 
Do the burdens tend to fret you? 

Never mind- 
Sweet the peace from out denial, 

You may find, 
Strength is born of pain and trial, 

Let it pass. 



HEART WHISPERS. 



Has your friend forsakeu — left you? 

Let it pass; 
Love, forsooth, has not bereft you 

Of its meed, 
While the few may harshly treat you 

In your need, 
Faithful hearts will fondly greet you, 

Let it pass. 

See you oft the hasty action? 

Let it pass; 
Have no part in evil faction 

That may rise; 
Heed the law of love that falleth 

From the skies, 
To your nobler self it calleth, 

Let it pass. 



Life's too short for useless worry, 

Let it pass; 
Time's too dear for faithless hurry 

On your way,— 
Joy from out the sky is streaming, 

Heed it, pray ; 
And for trouble, real or seeming. 

Let it pass. 



HEART WHISPERS. 



MIZPAH. 

God watch between us two, my darling, 

While we are absent from each oth'r. 
And thro' the future pathway bring us 

Still loved and loving to each oth'r; 
Keep back the lurking (shadows holding 

Death's unrelenting blight. 
And touch each day-beam with the glory 

Of love's unclouded light. 

God watch between us two, my darling. 

The pray'r is ever in my heart- 
Watch closely o'fflr us and direct us. 

And keep us one, tho' far apart- 
United still in loving service. 

That other lives may rise 
And catch the holy message falling 

From out the sunny skies. 

God watch between us two, my darling. 

We cannot know the hidden way 
That lies before us all imtrodden— 

We cannot know, but still we pray. 
And take the silver scepter given 

By Hope's up-pointing hand. 
And follow as it leads us onward 

To one Sweet Siunmer Land. 



HEART WHISPERS. 



OVER IT ALL. 



Over it all— the care aud the fret, 
The mixture of joy and sad regret, 
The anxious thought and the burdened heart. 
The bitter loss and the cruel smart- 
Over it all — this puzzling dream— 
His glad love shines with holy beam. 

Over it all— the hope and the fear, 
The struggle for right when wrong is near. 
The kind intent, tho' the words be cold. 
The prayer for patience and love's sweet hold- 
over it all His justice lies. 
Unchanged by sudden or dark surprise. 

Over it all— the day and the night— 
The hours of dark, the seasons of light, 
Mistakes and blunders and faults and all 
The pitiful cries from those who fall — 
His kindness waits to help and bless 
With a father's touch of tenderness. 



HEART WHISPERS. 



And He sees it all and reads sriglit, 
As we cannot do with blinded sight, 
And we dare not blame, Ave dai'e not chide, 
When others falter or tnrn aside; 
We see in part, we knoAV but in part. 
The human thought and the human heart, 
And 'tis M'ell to leave to Ills own care 
The open judgment— it must be fair— 
And give Him thanks that over it all 
His mercy answers His children's call. 



HEART WHISPERS. 



WOULD THEY MISS ME? 

o 

Would they miss ine much. I wonder, 

Should I pass away to-night 
From life's busy care and conflict, 

From its shadow and its light; 
Would they grieve for me but lightly, 

With a sorrow quick to heal— ^ 
Looking onward to some gladness 

That the future might reveal? 

Would they miss me much, I wonder. 

From the place I hold to-day? 
Would they feel my absence ever, 

When long days had flown away; 
Would they long for me, I wonder, 

With the yearning that I know 
For the treasures that escaped me 

In the years so long ago? 

Would they miss me much, I wonder— 

With the work I try to do,— - 
Would they think of me with fondness 

As of one so loved and true; 
Would the little deeds of kindness, 

That I daily strive to show, 
Ever come with tender mem'ry. 

To the hearts I cherish so? 



10 HEART WHISPERS. 



Would they miss me?— Oft I ponder. 
With a little throb of pain, 

As I note how quickly places 
That are left are filled again; 

Those I love, I love forever- 
Things I ovi^n I claim for aye; 

Even death could not have power 
E'er to sweep the claim away. 

Yet 'tis useless to be making 

To myself this needless quest,— 
'Twill not matter e'er so slightly 

When there comes an endless rest; 
But with gentle hand and loving, 

I would nobly battle on, 
So they can but miss me deeply— 

Miss me ever, when I'm gone. 



HEART WHISPERS. \1 



THE LETTER TELLS ME SO. 



He is coming, coming, coming, 
For tlie letter tells me so. 

And my heart is full of gladness. 
Full of one expectant glow. 

He is coming, coming, coming, 
For the letter tells me so. 

He is coming, coming, coming, 
All the roses seem to know. 

As they lift their smiling faces 
With a brighter, redder glow. 

O, he's coming, coming, coming, 
For the letter tells me so. 

He is coming, coming, coming, 
Little robin, do you know 

Why my heart Is free and happy. 
Why I sing and carol so? 

'Tis because he's coming, coming. 
For the letter tells me so. 



12 HEART WHISPERS. 



He is coming, coming, coming. 
E'en the glimmer of tlie sky 

Seems to show a brighter glory, 
As the hours go creeping by— 

And the lays of yellow sunshine 
Dance and glitter "bye-aud-bye. 

He is coming, coming, coming. 
All the earth is glad I kuoAV, 

For he's coming in the morning, 
In the tender, golden glow. 

And he'll never— never leave me, 
For the letler tells me so. 



HEART WHISPERS. la 



CHARITY. 

Tell it not with heedless scorning 
If your neighbor do a wrong; 

Go to him with j-earning sorrow- 
Breathe it not amid the throng; 

You may aid him by your counsel, 
Give him strength to nobler do, 

Help him as you'd have another 
Come in kindness unto you. 

If his wa.v is dark with trial, 

If there's blight you never knew, 
Let the manly heart within you 

Prompt to something brave and true 
Stand beside him while the shadow 

Shuts him from his olden place, 
Shield him from the wily tempter 

That has brought the deep disgrace. 

And the light you lend his pathway 

May come back to bless your own, 
For we know beyond all doubting. 

We shall reap as we haVe sown. 
Ah! if hearts would bend in pity 

Where they coldly turn aside, 
Blessings sweeter and diviner 

Would befall each eventide. 



U HEART WHISPERS. 



MY INSPIRATION. 

o 

CoiUd I be false with their pure love 

Pervading all my inner life, 
The love that reaches me from those 

Who walk beyond the sound of strife, 
Who look with happy eyes upon 

The Land that knows no night, 
And send the message back to me, 

"O, heart, be strong for truth and right?' 

Could I judge harshly when they speak 

To me in tones of gentleness, 
Till all the atmosphere is one 

Groat wave of tenderness. 
And bitter words would jar like sounds 

Of discord in some happy strain, 
And send, methinks, to their fair home 

A sense of sad regret and pain? 

Could I be heedless of the hearts 

Who need my sympathy and cheer— 
The starvelings, who have found the way 

A barren passage long and drear; 
Could I walk on apace and leave 

The kindly word unsaid. 
While round my life fi'om day to day 

Love's holy guardianship is spread? 



HEART WHISPERS. 15 



I must be true — they disallow 

All thought of failure here for me; 
I dare not pause or turn aside 

While their dear eyes are watching me; 
And on with happy-hearteduess 

They bid me go, with tend'rer thought 
For loved ones cloee beside my way, 

Till God's own hand has safely brought 
This life work to its final end, 

And reunited friend with friend. 



16 HEART WHISPERS. 



OVER THE HILLS. 

Over .the hills with their rim of gold, 

Over the hills— over the hills 

I catch a sound that throbs and thrills, 
As the waking world its joys unfold, 
It comes to my heart— a message clear 
From a loving one who is not here, 
And the words I hear are words like these— 
'Tis not a trick of the laughing bi'eeze— 
My soul leaps up to hear them say: 
'Be brave, dear heart, for one sure day 

I am coming for you— for you, 

I am coming for j'-ou- for you." 

Over the hills in the evening light, 

Over the hills— over the hills— 

The call still }"iugs, and glads, and fills 
My life with a throbbing, full delight, 
Tho' the thick cares rain upon the day 
And the shadows fall along the way, 
I heed them not, for I only hear 
The voice of love that is near— so near— 
And it sweetly passes into song 
That sings, "It is not, is not long, * 

I am coming for you — for you, 

I am coming for you— for you." 



HEART WHISPERS. 17 



WITHIN AND WITHOUT. 

o 

Within me and without me. 

Like all-pervasive light, 
I want Thy spirit's beauty 

To wash and make me white. 
Thy hand to cleanse the fountain 

And make the waters sweet, 
And keep the source of action 

In everything complete. 

Within me and without me 

Thy presence to instill 
A sense of higher duty, 

A knowledge of Thy will, 
No word or message given 

That is not pulsing thro' 
With Thy dear love to make it 

Sincere and warm and true. 

Within me and without me, 

O, Father, let me know 
The marvel of Thy power, 

The constant underflow 
Of harmony uniting 

My inner life with Thine, 
The ready giving to Thee 

Of all I hold as mine. 



18 HEART WHISPERS. 



Within me aud without me, 

Lilie all-pervasive light, 
I want Thy spirit's beauty. 

Thy tender oversight, 
The sureness of Thy guidance. 

The sweetness of Thy call, 
To lead me safely upward 

Whatever may befall. 



HEART WHISPERS. 19 



GOD KNOWS BEST. 

O, wlien our loved ones die, 
How quick the sunny sky 

Fades into pallid gray. 
And hush and silence fall 
Like rustlings of a pall, 

Upon the heart of day— 
But light and home and endless rest 
For those we miss— for God knows best. 



20 HEART WHISPERS. 



BURDEN BEARERS. 

They meet us bere, they meet us there, 

Wherever life is dreary, 
They lure away the clouds of care 

And make the way more cheery; 
The heavy load from weaker hands 

By thoughtfulness is taken. 
And higher aims and nobler dreams 

With stronger hope awaken. 

They meet us here, they meet us there, 

When words are harshly spoken. 
When unjust thought builds up a wall 

That reason has not broken— 
When friends estranged walk on apart 

With bitterness outflowing. 
Yet find at last a peace wrought out 

Thro' someone's prayerful knowing. 

They meet us here, they meet us there, 

When hours are dark with sorrow. 
And from the solace of their trust 

Comes hope of light to-morrow; 
The sad rebellion and despair 

That saps the fount of living. 
Dies out where faith looks up and asks 

The Father's kind forgiving. 



HEART WHISPERS. 21 



They meet us here, they meet us there, 

When eveuing shades are falling, 
When aged ears cateh o'er the hills 

The sound of loved ones calling; 
With tireless zest they seek the lone, 

And let the steady gleaming 
Of sunshine fill the darkened way 

With all its tender beaming. 

They meet us here, they meet us there, 

With hands so full of blessings, 
With hearts so true, Tve know they hold 

Love's whispers and caressings; 
True saviors that keep back from wrong 

By sympathy and kindness, 
The eiTing, left so oft alone 

In darkness and in blindness. 

God bless them all, where'er they go, 

These messengers of gladness, 
Who seek to sweep awaj' the gloom. 

The wretchedness and sadness — 
Who put the thought of self aside. 

Yet find a priceless treasiu'e, 
Since Thou dost give for ev'ry loss 

Of gain a richer measure. 



HEART WHISPERS. 



WE CANNOT KNOW. 

O, will our ships come back from sea 
With precious freight for you and me; 
Will they return with joy as free 
As when we sent them far away 
Upon the waters' restless flow- 
Will they float in with banners gay?— 
We cannot know, we co.nnot know. 

And will they bring, at last, one prize 
To greet our patient, longing eyes 
With nameless joy and glad surprise; 
Will skies retain their azure blue 
And winds blow soft and calm below 
And waft them home to me and you?— 
We cannot know, we cannot know. 

Then will our hearts forget their pain 
And cease to sing the old refrain 
When all our ships come back again; 
Will weary care release its sway 
And life put on a fairer glow, 
With perfect peace to gild each day? 
O, heart be still, we cannot know. 



HEART WHISPERS. 23 



We stand and watch upon the shore, 
With weary eyes we gaze out o'er 
The shining waters far before — 
No gallant ship sails proudly there, 
And are they lost for aye below ?— 
No answer falls upon the air 
And it is well we cannot know. 



24 HEART WHISPERS. 



SLUMBER SONG. 

To Donald. 

Sleep, my sweet, my sweet, O, sleep, 
Loving guard my heart will keep- 
Hush a-bye, a-bye thee, sweet- 
Covered o'er from head to feet — 
Hush a-bye, a-bye, a-bye, 
O, my precious, do not cry, 
Hush a-bye, a baby bye, 
O, my precious, do not cry. 

Sleep, my sweet, my sweet, O, sleep, 
Thro' the dark the angels peep, 
Smiling on thy drooping eyes, 
Bi'inging sleep from out the skies. 
Bye-0-bye, 0-bye thee-bye, 
Angels watch thee from the sky- 
Bye-0-bye, O baby bye. 
Angels watch thee from the sky. 

Sleep, my sweet, my sweet, O, sleep. 
Thro' the night no echoes creep 
From the birdlings in their nest. 
Rest, my treasure, on my breast. 
Rest, O rest, O rest thee now. 
With my kisses on thy brow, 
Rest, O rest, my darling, now, 
With mv kisses on thy brow. 



HEART WHISPERS. 25 



HOLD THOU MY HAND. 

Hold Thou my hand, O, Father, 

Hold Thou my hand, I pray, 
When shadows fall about me 

And hide the beaten way. 
When clouds hang low and heavy 

And storms of doubt assail, 
I blindly grope and falter. 

My strength of none avail. 

I cannot tread unguided 

The upward leading road; 
I cannot bear unaided 

The burden of the road, 
I seek to journey onward — 

I think to bravely stand, 
But unawares, I stumble — 

O, Father, hold my hand! 

Hold Thou my hand securely 

When sorrow's dim my sight, 
And hide from me the beauty 

And sweetness of the light; 
My heart will make no murmur. 

Whate'er may come, I know, 
If Thou wilt lead me, Fatlier, 

Wherever I mav so. 



26 HEART WHISPERS. 



ONLY. 

Only a line that I sent him. 

One day in a heedless mood- 
Only a line— yet it carried 

Poison instead of food; 
A heart that was true and tender 

Was stung to the very core, 
And I, in my love and blindness, 

Was thoughtless— nothing more. 

Only a word that I uttered, 

It sprang from my merry heart, 
As free from the thought of wounding 

As the sky is free from art. 
Only a word— yet the anguish 

That swept o'er a tortured soul 
Was strong as the turbid lashing 

Of the water's angry roll. 

Only a smile that was given 

To one who had met defeat, 
Only a smile, yet its mission 

Was to win from sin's retreat, 
And the life all stained and blackened, 

By the crimes too dark to tell. 
Was drawn from the doAvnward pathway 

In a purer realm to dwell. 



HEART WHISPERS. 2T 



Only a song tbat the singer 

Let fall on the pulsing air, 
Yet the weary pilgrim list'ning, 

Forgot for a time his care; 
And the music speeding onward, 

Like the floating song of bird, 
Brought a nameless ijeace and comfort 

To the grieving one who heard. 

Only— Ah, small is the ripple 

That ends in the mighty stream. 
And light is the sun-kissed zephyr, 

With its pow'r at first unseen, 
And the little deeds and tokens, 

With the savor of joy or pain, 
Are to win for us the dower 

Of an endless loss or gain. 



28 HEART WHISPERS. 



THE PROPOSAL. 

I saw a little maid 

With eyes of merry light, 
And on her face there shone 

A beauty pure and bright; 
Her dimpled cheeks were rich 

With childhood's rosy glow, 
And on her brow I watched 

The sunbeams come and go. 

I met a maiden grown 

With graceful form and mien, 
More fair she was to me 

Than aught I'd ever seen; 
Her voice was low and soft, 

Her words were gently said. 
And when she smiled at me 

I knew my heart had fled. 

And well I love her now, 

With all her modest ways, 
Her presence always brings 

New gladness to the days; 
A cheering word has she 

To offer to the lone— 
I cannot tell you just 

How dear to me she's grown. 



HEART WHISPERS. 29 



I waut this maiden fair 

To rule my home and heart, 
Nor let me from the good 

And better way depart; 
And since you ask me who, 

And what her name may be, 
I softly whisper low, 

"My darling, it is thee." 



30 HEART WHISPERS. 



HEARTILY. 

Is the work before you heavy, 

Is the pathway long and steep, 
Does the darkness thickly settle 

Where the sunbeams used to creep? 
Uncomplaining journey onward 

With a heart of patient cheer — 
Fairer is the morning's splendor 

That succeeds the uight of fear. 

Is your part to cheer the lowly. 

Walking where no sound of praise 
From the world can reach you ever 

Thro' the length of weary days? 
Let the light of love about you 

Gild the path for other feet. 
And the blessedness of giving 

You will find divinely sweet. 

Is your work to lift the fallen 

From the dreadful curse of sin? 
Do it bravely, let no shadow 

Mar the gleam of hope within; 
With the touch of love and pity 

Draw the wand'rer back to right, 
To the realm of truth and honor 

From the darkness and the blight. 



HEART WHISPERS. 31 



Do your duty with a fervor 

And a heartiness of will, 
That shall banish all the doubting 

From the world of wrong and ill; 
Do it bravely, whether beauty 

Fill one measure of the way — 
Loving thought and loving action 

Its own service will repay. 



32 EEART WHISPERS. 



ABSENT, 

I miss you sadly, dailing, 

I sit alone to-uiglit 
And watch the fitful changes 

Of shadow into light; 
The day has slowly faded, 

The splendor of the moon 
Brings out a sheen of glory 

That wanes, alas! too soon. 

I miss you, miss you, darling, 

The time seems strangely slow, 
Unlike the olden moments 

That were so short, you kno^v, 
When we together wandered 

Where grew the smiling flowers. 
And all the world of beauty 

And joyousness was ours. 

I miss you ever, darling. 

Since first you went aA\ny, 
The sunlight in its sliinirg 

Has scarcely touched my day. 
I miss you in the morning, 

At noontime and at night; 
Come back again, my darling. 

And fill my life with light. 



HEART WHISPERS. 3:{ 



THE STARS. 

Up there; the pale, sweet stars 

Like loving angels' eyes 
Look downward on the path 

Where earthly sorrow lies; 
So fair, so pure and calm, 

As if they fain would give 
A lull to care, and bid 

Sad hearts look up and live. 

They weary not— but still 

Shed forth their cheering light, 
To lift the gloom and shade 

From off the passing night; 
The clouds grow dark beneath. 

The storm is sometimes wild. 
But back they come again 

In beauty fi-esh and mild. 

The darkness cannot dim 

The lustre of their glow% 
It only makes them gleam 

More bright on all below; 
The years grow old and die. 

The seasons fade away, 
But as God's vigils true. 

Forever there they stay. 



34 HEART WHISPERS. 



We watch them in our joy, 
We love them iu our woe 

And vaguely wonder then 
If they our cares can know; 

So far above this life- 
Above its toil and din. 

Their faithful light rebukes 
Our worldly strife and sin. 

If w'e could only make 

Our lives to-day as far 
Above earth's taint and wrong 

As evening's loftj^ star; 
If we could keep them so 

Thro' all the years of lime, 
The record of each life 

At last would be sublime. 



HEART WHISPERS. 35 



PARTED. 

Apart we tread the pathway 

That spans the title of years, 
With faces calm and smiling, 

With hearts all full of tears; 
We hide the bitter sorrow 

That lives for you and me — 
The world with all its watchers 

Must think us glad and free. 

So far apart — yet dimly 

Sad mem'ry still will bring 
The past, with all its brightness, 

Our life's sweet, sunny Spring; 
'Twas then we stood together 

And wove our trusting dreams, 
With all the bliss of dreamers 

We watched their golden gleams. 

Your hand it was that broke them— 

I do not chide you now. 
For I have seen the impress 

Of care upon your brow; 
Yours is the hardest burden, 

It was your work, you know, 
That took from life its beauty 

And left a path of woe. 



30 HEART WHISPERS. 



And now— we miss the gladness 

That should have been our own, 
The tender words of welcome 

By us can ne'er be known; 
Your face is ever silent, 

Save when I meet your eyes— 
Ah, then I read so plainly 

Regret that in them lies. 

We walk apart forever, 

You cannot come to me. 
And I, Avho fain would greet you. 

Must ever silent be; 
The gulf that lies between us 

We cannot hope to cross. 
For that would only bring us 

A deeper pain and loss. 

No more thro' all the journey 

Will joy be ours again, 
And yet there is a comfort 

Despite the cruel pain, 
For in the final ending- 

It may be far or nigh, 
Our lives shall be united 

When both of us shall die. 



HEART WHISPERS. 37 



CONSIDERATION. 

If he were iledd, the Jtiieiid that now 

You treat so harshly and unkind, 
Would you not put aside the grudge 

And say you had been weak and blind; 
That you were wrong as well as he, 

And smooth it over when too late 
To bring to him the peace he craved— 

The simple boon you thought too great? 

If he were dead, you would relent 

And pardon all his erring ways. 
You'd say he meant to do the right, 

And almost dare to give him praise; 
He who, while living, felt the sting 

Of bitter words unjustly said. 
You'd show a contrite spirit then 

And mourn youi' weakness — were he dead. 

If he were dead, beyond your help, 

You would forbear to even think 
The thoughts that now you boldly speak 

To sever friendship's sacred link ; 
If it were o'er— the task of life 

You helped to make so hard and drear, 
You'd feel at last a keen regret 

And shed, perchance, a silent tear. 



38 HEART WHISPERS. 



O, friends, treat not less kindly now 

The near and living than the dead, 
When hearts are cold they will not need 

The words for which they sorely bled; 
Be patient with the erring one, 

Chide not the fault— help him instead— 
Wait not to love him and forgive 

Till all is o'er and he is dead. 



HEART WHISPEES. 39 



HUMILITY. 



I would not I'aise my eyes with one faint tluitcr. 

One wave of ijride foi' what belongs to nie, 
I would not frame one little word to utter 

A lurking thought of boast or vanity: 
For friends that come to me, for love in lavish measure, 

For graciousness and broad approval sweetly shed 
Upon my life, I bow my head, and for each pleasure, 

I thank my Father for the gifts I liave not merited. 



40 HEART WHISPERS. 



THE BEST I CAN. 



I am not strong, I caunot tread apace 

The winding road tliat upward leads, 
Tlie winds blow fiercely on my upturned face. 

My heart is sometimes faint and pleads 
For voices that in other days were here 
To bless and gladden me with song and cheer; 
The jagged rocks impede my onward way, 
They hurt me cruelly— I pause to pray- 
Awhile I needs must rest to catch the light 
And comfort of Thy love upon the night. 
I cannot hasten, Father, up the road 
With quicker step beneath the heavy load, 
But I will do the best I can. 

I am not over brave, I shrink from sound 

Of battle cry. in foremost line 
I fear I cannot stand, where missiles wound 

The strongest of the ranks, and mine, 
O. Father, may not be the hand to lift 
The flagstaff up into the cloud's fair rift. 



HEART WHISPERS. H 



But I can liuger Avlievu the falleu lie 
In utter helplessness, afraid to die. 
And speak some word of pleading and of pray'r, 
And lift them from the terror of despair. 
And sive some solace and some tender cheer 
While gloom and heavy darkness hover near, 
And do the best— the best I can. 

I cannot speak with eloquence sublime 
To move the stubborn-hearted throng; 
I cannot write in matchless, living rhyme. 

Nor voice the witcheries of song— 
I am not gifted as tlie great, who stand 
With power unmeasured to demand 
The overthrow of Avi-ong, the reign of right. 
With ready words of sure and winning might; 
Thou knoM'est all about it— all my heart— 
"Sly longing often for a broader part 
In Thy great harvest held, and yet Thy love 
So over-spreading, like a brooding dove. 
Wilt never chide me. never count as naught 
The little work that I have humbly wrought,— 
Wilt hold me sweetly, sweetly to Thy breast, 
And give the fullness of Thy peace and rest. 
If I but do the best I can. 



42 HEART WHISPERS. 



IN THE WOODLANDS. 

Do you bear the low, sweet music 

As it echoes o'er the hills; 
Do you catch the soothing beauty 

In the murmur of the rills? 
Do you see the lovely flowers 

Nodding gently at your feet, 
Saying in their silent voices, 

Let your joy be now complete? 

Does i'our heart receive the message 

Sent to banish grief and care; 
Do you breathe the wondrous sweetness 

Of the soft and balmy air? 
Do you heed the joyous «^arols 

lu the boughs above your head; 
Trilling notes that gladly tell us 

(Jloomy hours at last have fled? 

Every sound within the woodlands 

Bears the hai-mony of song. 
Every breeze is lade with gladness 

As it gently floats along— 
O'er the blooms of sweet red clover, 

"Cross the meadows cool and wide, 
Making for the weary hearted 

Brighter scenes on everv side. 



HEART WHISPERS. 4$ 



And the pearly, glitt'riug dewdrops 

Sparkling on the morning grass, 
Seemeth each a gem of promise 

To us, as we slowly pass; 
While the beams that softly kiss them 

With their rays of diamond light. 
Point us to a dawning future, 

Full of love's unchanging light. 

You, who will not I'cad the message 

Written by God's loving hand. 
In the changing lights and colors 

O'er the broad face of our land, 
You have missed the fairest volume 

Opened for our mortal eyes, 
To behold a shadow of the splendor 

And tlit^ i;].)!"^- of tlie skies. 



44 HEART WHISPERS. 



TOO LATE. 

The little gift I thought to offer 

To one whose heart was lone, 
The soothing word I thought to utter 

In loving undertone, 
I find, alas, can ne'er be given 

To cheer this one dark way, 
For while I lingered in my dreaming. 

Death took my friend away. 

I thought to help another upward 

Into the light of truth, 
To touch his life by my pure living 

And strengthen him, forsooth; 
But in my weakness oft I stumbled 

And hindered him, I fear. 
And turned aside to shallow fountains 

This life that was so dear. 

And noAv too late, I see my failure. 

My heedlessness and sin. 
The lack of earnest, faithful watcliing 

And perfect love within; 
I see how oft the little service 

I slighted in my haste, 
How many precious means of blessing 

Were sadly left to waste. 



HEART WHISPERS. 45 



O, loviug Father, in Thy goodness 

Forgive it all, I pray. 
My blind and erring walli before 'J bee. 

And give me day by day 
A spirit quick to do Thy bidding 

Wherever Thou shalt lead, 
And save me from the sin of idling 

While lives are dark with need. 



16 HEART WHISPERS. 



LITTLE DIVINITY. 

A fair, true face, with earnest eyes, 

So soft, so brown and tender, 
A noble heart that makes me say, 

May Love's sweet powers defend her; 
A gentle voice that has a trill, 

A little catch, a tremble, 
But in its tone you read her soul. 

Too pure to e'er dissemble. 

A girlish form with graceful tiir. 

That wins you so completely, 
With quiet word and cheering smile, 

That greet you e'er so sweetly; 
A thoughtful miud and loyal aim 

That seeks no lauded station. 
Yet good enough to occupy 

The lirst in all our nation. 

The needy poor will justify 

The place that I assign her; 
Her willing hands have borne to them 

A comfort far diviner 
Than richest gifts could ever give. 

Without the gracious beauty 
Of tenderness and soothing aid 

That mark her patient duty. 



HEART WHISPERS. 47 



I found one day beside the bed 

Of one grown old and weary, 
A wreath of blossoms fragrant, bright. 

That made the hours more cheery; 
Her work it was, and for tliese deeds 

That scatter joy so frooly, 
I gave the name — it can't l)o wrong — 

Of "Little Divinity." 



48 HEART WHISPERS. 



WHEREP'ORE ? 



Wherefore should you live, what the good uf life. 
If but to taste some joy, strong-coated o'er with strife? 
Why strive, and plan, and hope, and wait, and pray 
For blessings that will never touch your way? 
Why hold the chord in clenched and iron grasp, 
^Vhcu loosing it would end a weary task? 
What need to pant and sweat beneath the load. 
Why bend your shoulders climbing up a road 
That has but jagged rocks to pierce your feet? 
Why not have done it all? O friend, O sweet. 
You would not— would not dare to make the tpiest 
If you could know as He doth know — the best. 

Wherefore? and why tlie night's unbidden sway 
That closes fast the laughing eye of day. 
And holds the voice of sound fast— still, and dead. 
And sends "a creeping something as of dread 
Athwart the earth? And why the fiery heat 
That takes from gold its worthlessness? O sweet. 



HEART WHISPERS. 49 



Look down iuto the hiddeu depths of earth 
And learn that closely shrouding Nature's birth 
Is heavy gloom. Look up and catch the glow 
Of lightning darts succeeded by the bow 
Of promise; drink in the sweetened air 
The elemental strife has left so fair, 

And take unto yourself this thought, O sweet: 
That out of loss and darkness deep, complete 
And perfect in its grandeur, springeth life, 
Still strong and nobly true as if the strife 
Of years were coveted to give it pow'r 
Against the trial of some testing hour; 
Look up, O heart, and never more complain, 
But take1:he bitter aid the blinding pain. 
Outflowing from it you your gain will find, 
A tend'rer soul, a broader, gentler mind — 
A recompense sufficient to repay 
For ev'ry storm that has assailed your way — 
The lofty soul can never know defeat; 
Keep this before you and go on, O sweet. 



80 HEART WHI8PER8. 



A YEAR AGO. 



A j'ear ago, sweetheart, a year ago, 
I heard your voice so gentle and so low. 
Speak unto me from out the overflow 
Of worthy effort that had left its trace 
So plainly on your noble brow and face, 
And list'ning as I had not done before, 
You do not wonder that I longed for more 
Of what you said, and halfway lost my heart 
To you that evening ere we came to part, 
A year ago. 

A year ago, sweetheart, one little year, 
Your kindly eyes, so soulful and so clear, 
Looked into mine and set to naught all fear 
That doubt might bring to life. I read you true; 
The tenderness that speaks thro' all you do. 
The sympathy that leads aside to lift 
The shadowed lives into the open rift 
Of God's own smiling blue of peace and cheer,— 
With pleased discern I saw in you, my dear, 
A year ago. 



HEART WHISPERS. 61 



A year ago, sweetheart, a year to-night, 
I did not linow the measure of delight 
That now is mine — the future outlooli bright 
With love's sweet hope of joyous years to be 
In fullness meted out to you and me; 
A calm serenity, a peace and rest 
Of soul came with this gift I count the best. 
And nameless gratitude, O love, is mine. 
That goodly favor led my pathway into thine, 
A year ago. 



62 HEART WHISPERS. 



LIFE IS TOO SHORT. 

Life is too short for bitterness. 

For thoughts that are not liind, 
Sweep back the cloud of jealousies 

And let the nobler mind 
Look out undimmed. Give fuller sway 

To Charity— be just 
To those who stumble by the way — 

The strongest are but dust. 

Life is too short to harbor doubt 

Of those you do not know; 
The fairest mind allows the best 

To either friend or foe. 
And looks with steadfast faith beyond 

What seems a worthless whole 
For signs of inner worth, and meets 

The strong and constant soul. 

Life is too short for heedlessness, 

For words that hurt and wound, 
For acts that set the quiv'ring cords 

Of pain to broken sound; 
Too short for faithlessness— the heart 

That rests on thine may break, 
And leave the agony of night 

For thy lone life to take. 



HEART WHISPERS. 53 



Life is too short for any work 

Tliat is not high and true, 
Too short to slight the broader aim 

God meant should come to you. 
O, heart, rise up into the light 

Of grander life and thought. 
And find the peace and blessedness 

Thy loving faith has wrought. 



54 HEART WHISPERS. 



ALL THE WAY. 

O, Saviour, on whose strength I lean, 
Go with me all the way, 
When darkness dims the day, 

And blinding sorrows thick and keen 
Come to my lot- 
Forsake me not, 

O. Friend, so true to me, 

My soul must rest on Thee. 

I would be desolate without 

The whisper of Thy love, 

That keeps my life above 
The narrow plane of vexing doubt; 

I could not live 

Didst Thou not give 
Unto my heart Thy "Peace, be still," 
And teach me of Thy blessed will. 

It is not always easy here— 

The road is sometimes steep. 

And very hard to keep; 
But with Thy presence near, 

I can be strong 

To fight the wrong, 
And in the battle bravely win 
With Thine own spirit's pow'r within. 



HEART WHISPERS. 55 



Then day by day, O, loving Friend, 
Be with me where I go. 
And help my life to show- 
Whatever shadows may attend- 
In ev'ry thought 
Thy love inwrought. 
In ev'ry deed the tenderness 
And sympathy that seeks to bless. 



56 HEART WHISPERS. 



SOME DAY. 



'Some day"— the maiden softly said, 
And on her cheeks the roses red 
Spoke of a dream for that sweet time 
As fair as any poet's rhyme— 

'Some day I'll be his loving bride, 
And walk the pathway by his side." 

'Some day, my boy to manhood grown, 
Will reap bright honors now unknown, 
He'll smooth the pathway that I tread," 
The doting mother proudly said: 

'He'll nobly fight life's battles thro', 
And win them all — my boy so true." 

'Some daj' I'll wear the crown of fame. 
The great and Avise shall speak my name 
With praise, and read the glowing thought 
My ready pen with truth has wrought; 
My work shall live when I am dead," 
The boyish lips with fervor said. 



HEART WHISPERS. 57 



'Some day"— alas ! the years creep by, 
The maiden saw her lover die. 
The mother sits with broken moan 
Each day beside her lone hearthstone. 
The youth whose heart was set on fame 
Sank 'neath the blight of sin and shame. 

Yet weary hearts toil on and say, 
'The blessed light will dawn some day," 
While closely round the pathway lays 
The golden wealth of sunny rays. 
Through restless longings oft we miss 
Our greatest share of present bliss, 
And only faith in God above 
Can bring us aught of peace and love. 



HEART WHISPERS. 



BURLEY GRUMBLE. 

Yes, Burley Grumble, that's his luiuie. 
No doubt you've often met the same, 
He lives quite near, just o'er the way— 
'A poor, poor man," as he would say; 
I've linown him well for these lent; years, 
He looks on life with many fears, 
And when he calls you hear a song 
That makes your face at once grow long. 

He comes to-daj', we hear the cry, 

'The weather is too fearful dry," 
To-morrow sees another frown— 

'It Is too wet, th'3 rain pours down; 
It seems so strange throughout the year 
The climate is so wretched here— 
Tlie crops are bad and stock so low. 
We all shall starve, yes, starve, I know." 

He sees no brightness in the skies— 
The future holds no hidden prize. 
Encased in self, how mean the place 
That smiles not brightly on his face. 
And as our deeds make friend or foe, 
His life is all "a sea of woe," 
'The world is old and bad and sour," 
He tells it o'er from hour to hoiu". 



HEART WHISPERS. 5^ 



No good is left— the chui'ch indeed 
Has lost her grace— how great her need; 
The preacher, too, he claims has strayed, 
Because he dares to stand arrayed 
For right, sobriety and truth. 
And nobly pleads for these, forsooth; 
And Grumble changes stainless white 
Into the darkest shade of night. 

And yet he has a cheerless time 
While dealing out his doleful rhyme; 
His kin are many— strange to say, 
Who think and act the self-same way; 
And 'twould be well, my friends, that you 
Watch lest you join the croakers, too, 
For of all bad things we place the first 
This Grumble family as the worst. 



60 HEART WHISPERS. 

AT DAWN AND DUSK. 

Ah, fair is the light of morning 

As it dawns to happy eyes, 
Ere the clouds have cast their darkness 

O'er the realm of sunny skies; 
When the heart is full of joyance 

With the restless throb of youth, 
That longs for the golden treasures, 

In the future years forsooth. 

And sweet is the trust unshaken 

By the shadow e'en of doubt, 
Where the life within is measured 

By the gleam that shines without; 
Where the soul untried is singing 

In the fullness of its light. 
And is guided safely onward 

By an impulse pure and right. 

But grand is the faith at even 

That has stood the test of years, 
That has fought with firm devotion 

All the weary doubts and fears, 
Then looks at last to the sunset 

In the far-off golden West, 
And views o'er the lofty hilltops 

The glow of eternal I'est. 



HEART WHISPERS. 61 



THE MASTER'S VOICE. 



What is it, child? Art worn and weary? 

Ah, so was I; 
Art treading o'er a pathway dreary 

Where shadows lie? 
The thorns spring up and pierce thy tender feet? 

I felt them too; 
Art grieving for the friends whose love was sweet? 

Miae were untrue. 

Misunderstood and wrongly treated? 

I felt this sting; 
No justice to thee kindly moted, 

No voice to bring 
With loving tenderness a word of cheer? — 

I spent ttie night 
Of agony alone, no one to hear 

The bitter fight. 



HEART WHISPERS. 



Art tired, so tired and liungry-hearted 

For rest and hopie? 
I wandered where my path was parted 

From love and home; 
Art burdened deeply, child, and sore oppressed 

By crying need? 
Oive freely what thou hast and leave the rest 

For me to feed. 

Art sorely tempted from within and out? 

I met it, child; 
Art battling 'gainst the sweeping tide of doubt 

'Mid darkness wild? 
I know it all. each heart throb full of pain, 

Each hour of gloom, 
The blinding sweep of sorrow's heavy rain, 

The open tomb. 

Come unto me and I will give you rest, 

I hear Him say. 
Lean Thou., with all thy care, upon My breast, — 

The better way 
Of blessedness— tiie high and holy life — 

Is all for thee. 
My love will ket'p thee thro' the storm and strife. 

Rest thou in Me. 



HEART WHISPERS. &S 



There comes to me this tender, cheering tone 

Of love alway. 
Around about me falling thro' the lone 

And shadowed way, 
And as I listen is it strange my heart 

Is always glad, 
Aye, even when life's deepest, darkest part 

Would make me sad? 
No trial that may lay its weight on me— 

No pain, no loss. 
But He has known, has borne thro' love for me 

Upon the cross. 



64 HEART WHISPERS. 



SOME DAY, DEAR. 



Some day, dear, 
From out the silence and the loneliness 

A voice will speak to tliee, 
Will speak again, and yet again, till all 

The strings of memory 
Are searched with bitter pain that will not let 

The olden gladness come to cheer 
One heart beat of thy time, and thou wilt cry 

Aloud and beg for me, some day, my dear. 

Some day, dear, 
And thou wilt see how close I tried to creep 

Into thy inner Lfe 
And bring it joy and warmth, and how I sought 

Adjustment to thy life 
In e'en its slightest whim and frequent change, 

But thou wouldst not, till late the drear 
And awful consciousness of something lost 

Let in the gloom of thy mistake, my dear. 



HEART WHISPERS. 65 



Some day, dear, 
And thou wilt understand— I know thou canst 

Not fully see it now. 
But thou wilt grant with readiness the things 

Thou dost not now allow - 
Wilt know a heart can starve and die for love, 

And loving words of tender tone. 
Wilt see, and know, and understand It all. 

In bitterness of soul, some day, my own. 



DEATH. 



The kindly friend that opens wide the prison door 
Of service it were sometimes hard to give, 

And to a wider field than we have known before. 
Leads on, and bids us to begin to live. 



66 HEART WHISPERS. 



CHRISTMAS TIDE. 

O, swelling tide from out the sea 

Of God's unfathomed love, 
Float on with harmony of sound 

Around us and above; 
Sweep back the turbid stream of sin 

With current pure and strong, 
And check for aye the onward flow 

Of hatred and of wrong. 

Float out, O, stiain of "Peace, good will, 

Glad chorus of the skies- 
Till earth's discordant element 

Is hushed in swift surprise; 
Till by the manger of the Babe 

Mankind as one shall bow, 
And pledge the incense of its love 

In an eternal vow. 

O, wondrous love, O, throbbing joy, 

O. melody of peace, 
Dawn on the human heart to-day 

And bid its doubting cease; 
The revelation of a Power 

That saves the world from blight, 
Make sweetly clear, O. matchless love. 

To faith's uplifted sight. 



HEART WHISPERS. 67 



THE LOT OF ALL.. 



There comes to each some day of sorrow, 

Some hour of pain and woe. 
When thro' the darkness comes no glimmer 

Of joy's unclouded glow; 
When weary feet must tread the journey 

Unaided and alone. 
While yearning for the sound of footsteps 

To cheer and guide their own. 

There comes to each some heavy trial 

To wind its thread of care 
About the heart, to sap the gladness 

That had shown brightlj' there; 
When in the deep, unbroken darkness, 

The soul looks unto God 
And finds a calm and steadfast courage 

To pass beneath the rod. 

There comes to each some hard— hard lesson 

To slowly, sadly learn, 
When trembling lips will slowly falter 

And hearts the task will spurn; 
When faithful eyes must cease their Avatching 

With love's unbroken trust, 
And read at last the cruel lesson 

Of faith laid in the dust. 



HEART WHISPERS. 



There comes to each a time of parting 

When tears will blindly flow, 
When nearest ties are rent in sunder 

ABd words are spoken low; 
When life's sweet glory seems departed, 

So lonely is the way. 
And sad eyes watch with constant longing 

For dear ones gone away. 

There comes to each some disappointment, 

It is the lot of all, 
And yet there are some drops of sweetness 

To mingle with the gall; 
A beacon light is clearly shining. 

Let storms come as they will, 
For in His tender, yearning pity, 

God guards and loves us still. 



HEART WHISPERS. 69 



WEARY NOT. 



O, weai-y not, ye striving one, 

Though hard thy task may be, 
Tho' shadows deep shnt out the sun 

And leave the gloom for thee; 
O, faint ye not — the morning bright 

Comes surely to each day, 
And sweetly kisses with its light 

Night's dreariness away. 

O, weary not, ye waiting one 

With heart of eagerness. 
Thy work to-day, if well begun, 

Thy life will richly bless. 
But thou wilt learn, whate'er thy dream 

Of happiness may be. 
That as thou spreadest joy, the beam 

Of joy will shine for thee. 

O, weary not, ye watching one, 

With ships far out at sea. 
The changing tide ere day is done 

May drift them all to thee; 
But should the many sink below 

The billows' angry roar, 
One treasure ship of love I know 

God's hand will waft ashore. 



70 HEART WHISPERS. 



O, in the darkest hour of ill 

This thought thy heart should hold- 
The sun is shining somewhere still 

With glinting beams of gold. 
And God's own love lies over all 
Whate'er befall, whate'er befall. 



HEART WHISPERS. 71 



THANKSGIVING. 



The blessings fall about us 

Of light and love and life. 
And with the glow of beauty 

The earth to-day is rife. 
Our hearts ascend in union 

Unto the Source of all. 
And answer with thanksgiving 

While mercies richly fall. 

The Father's care has kept us 

Throughout the vanished year, 
Has led us safely, surely 

Through mists of doubt and fear; 
Has given joyous sunshine 

To chase the gloom away, 
And unto Him be given 

Our meed of praise to-day. 

The sorrows that have met us 

Have brought us nearer Him, 
Have taught us deeper pity 

For others' want so grim; 
The tenderness within us, 

The charity and love, 
Would die if darkness never 

O'ercast our sky above. 



72 HEART WHISPERS. 



O, lives that grope in shadow, 

O, hearts of longing quest, 
Will you look bravely upward 

And claim a feast of rest! 
The light is clearly shining 

For all who let it in, 
And brightness waits to gladden 

Where weariness has been. 



HEART WHISPERS. 73 



GOOD-BYE. 



"Good-bye," we say it often 

With eyes all full of tears, 
That will not cease their flowing 

Thro' many weary years; 
The ties of love are broken. 

The bond is rent in twain. 
And lives so far are sundered 

Faith cannot bind again. 

"Good-bye," we say it softly. 

With tender voice and low. 
We gently strive to lighten 

The deeper sense of woe; 
We breathe the words so fondly. 

The last we have to say, 
And in our hearts their echo 

Will live for many day. 

'Good-bye," we say it brightly— 

We seek to hide the pain, 
And mask the face in smiling, 

But ah, the task is vain. 
For when the heart is aching, 

Tho' glad the voice may sound. 
The sad eyes of the watchers 

Will see the cruel wound. 



71 HEART WHISPERS. 



'Good-bye," the words are spoken 

As by the quiet bed, 
The rain of grief is falling 

Above the early dead; 
There is no hope of meeting 

This side the golden shore, 
We live and hope for greeting, 

When life's long task is o'er. 

'Good-bye," we say it fondly. 

And blessings still we pray, 
To brighten all the journey 

And gild each passing day; 
In all our pray'rs at even 

We fondly breathe your name, 
Tho' you are absent from us. 

We love you just the same. 



HEART WHISPERS. 75- 



'TEACH ME THY WAY." 



Teach me Thy way, O Lord, 

That I may daily go, 
Beside the living stream 

Where waters sweetly flow; 
Lead me in pastures green 

Far out from sin and strife. 
And feed my soul each day 

Upon the bread of life. 

Teach me Thy way, that I 

May walk with perfect trust, 
And murmur not though life's 

Fond hopes fall in the dust; 
That I may rest secure 

Amid the shadows deep. 
And feel that God His child 

Through every storm will keep. 

Teach me Thy way, I ask— 

I am so frail and weak, 
I cannot walk alone. 

Be Thou the strength I seek; 
O, let me falter not. 

Though dreary be the way, 
And may my footsteps reach 

At last the perfect day. 



76 HEART WniSPER3. 



Give me Thy spirit mild 

And wrap me in Thy love, 
And let me feel the calm 

That Cometh from above; 
And as I lean on Thee, 

^Yhe^e'e^ my feet may roam, 
O, guide me by the light 

That shineth from Thy home. 



HEART WHISPERS. IT 



UNWARNED. 



I stood in the twilight shadows 

Where the evening star shone thro', 
And took with an eager gladness 

The letter I thought from you; 
My heart was as free and joyous 

As the warbler's floating lay, 
For it held no dream of sorrow 

At the close of that sweet day. 

I stood for a time in rev'rie 

Ere my fingers broke the seal, 
And I thought of some fond message 

That the pages would reveal; 
I thought of the day of meeting 

In the future's happy light, 
For I did not know, my darling, 

You were lying cold and white. 

I did not know till the missive. 
That I thought, alas! from you. 

Was read in the quiet chamber 

Where the light was streaming thro' 

And my soul grew sick with anguish 
As the message caught my sight, 

And I read the words that told me, 
"He is dead— he died to-night." 



78 HEART WHISPERS. 



Dead! and I was all unconscious, 

With no place in heart or brain 
For a flitting shadow ever 

To fall with its touch of pain; 
And no voice within gave warning 

As my soitI sang out its song, 
That you, who had made its music, 

Would be missing from our throng. 

Dead?— My heart cannot believe it, 

Tho' a silence guards your lips. 
And the world seems strangely alter'd, 

With the joy in sad eclipse; 
Not lost, tho' the sky may never 

Shine out with its olden blue, 
Yet mv heart must have this comfort — 

This hope that is strong and true: 

You have reached the sun-lit regions 

Where no blight can e'er come in, 
Where no murmur from this earth-land 

Can reach you with its din; 
You have found the blessed harbor 

And the life divinely true, 
And up to its wondrous beauty 

I will come one day to you. 



HEART WHISPERS. 79 



WHY? 



Why has earth both clouds and sunshine 

Shedding forth their gloom and light, 
Why has life its changeful seasons, 

Mingling sadness, bliss and blight?- 
Why has morn a golden splendor 

When the lovely blooms unclose — 
Why has eve a soothing beauty 

That the noonday never knows? 

Why do shadows with their darkness 

Chase the merry light away, 
Why do showers of the summer 

Bring new freshness to the day? 
Why do flowers that we cherish 

Wither at the touch of frost. 
Why are those we held the dearest 

Mentioned first as those we lost? 

Why do songs that are the sweetest 

Linger with a sad refrain. 
And the mem'ry of some gladness 

Fill us with a nameless pain? 
Why?— we ask, but no faint echo 

Will bring back an answer clear— 
Wo cannot solve the mysteries 

That lie around us here. 



80 HEART WHISPERS. 



IT IS NOT LONG. 



Art thou disquieted, dear lieart, 

And sore preplexed and tossed about 
By restlessness, surcliarged witli doubt. 
Uncertain if the bitter smart 
Of disappointment and dismay 
Will e'er again release its sway, 
And let the sunshine touch thy way? 

And art impatient with the view 
Of fallow fields and leaden skies, 
That lie before thy aching eyes? 
Dost yearn to see the olden blue 
Dawn swiftly thro' the sullen night, 
And with its smiling put to flight 
The visions that disturb thy sight? 

Art deep distrest? The anxious thought 
Grown tangled in thy weary mind 
With faith too feeble to unwind 
The vexing snarl that doubt has wrought. 
And one insurgent wave of care 
Above the whisper of thy prayer 
Sweeps in its message of despair? 



HEART WHISPERS. 81 



And all is dark? O, chafing heart, 

And fretted by thy lot to-day, 

Hast thou forgotten that the way 
Is very short? Life's fairer part 
Is not obscured, I know, to thee. 
If thou wilt pause a while to see 
The sweetness of its ministry. 

For thou art near — so very near, 

The source of love's renewing power, 
That speeds its comfort thro' the hour 
Of deepest need— O, link the "here," 
Forever with the "Over there," 
And let its gladness ev'rywhere 
Surround thee like an answered prayer, 
And thou wilt find how light thy load 
With Heaven's sunshine on the road, 
And life as fleet— its dream of gloom and pain- 
As tunnel darkness on the passing train. 



82 HEART WHISPERS. 



SINCE YOU CAME. 



A gladness has crept into life, 
A strange new joy with beauty rife, 
The days are sunny, calm and clear, 
No cloud of sadness hovers near; 
>ry heart breaks forth in ceaseless son^ 
And I am happy all day long- 
Since you came. 

A brightness lingers round the hours, 
A fairer bloom clings to the flow'rs, 
The floating music in the trees. 
The busy hum of working bees. 
Alike have added charms for me, 
All nature seems alive and free- 
Since you came. 

The deep unrest that once I knew— 
The weary cares, the dreams untrue. 
Have vanished quite. I walk to-day 
In blest content beside the way 
And look into your eyes and know 
That love will bless me where I go, 
Since you came. 



HEART WHISPERS. 83 



Life is more dear wbate'er betide 
Since you walli closely by my side; 
Should sorrow come to fill my cup 
My soul would still look foudly up, 
And lean securely day by day 
Upon the faith that lights my way, 
Since you came. 

Yet if our boats at last will glide 
Together o'er death's rushing tide, 
I cannot know— I cannot tell, 
But this fond truth I treasure well— 
If you be left alone to wait, 
I'll watch for you beside the Gate 
And welcome you, however late 
Your coming. 



84 HEART WHISPERS. 



DO WE THINK? 



As we're passing on our journey, 

With the rushing tide of years. 
Catching here a golden sunbeam, 

Gleaning there a flood of tears, 
Do we see the other foot-paths 

That our own are treading in? 
Do we pray with constant fervor 

That their steps be kept from sin? 

Do we give a kindly greeting 

To the erring and the low? 
Do Ave ever try to lift them 

From their wretched lot of woe? 
One wrong step— it blindly led them 

Down the road of sin and shame— 
Maj'be if we'd spoken fondly 

We had saved a precious name. 

Do we strive to lift the burdens 

That the weary ones must bear? 
Do we show them in their sadness 

That we feel for them a care? 
Do we think to tell them gently 

Of the Father's loving heart. 
He, whose eye in pity seeth 

All the human pain and smart? 



HEART WHISPERS. 85 



Do we think wlieu si)eakiug harshly 

To the friends around our way, 
That the words may bring us sorrow 

On some far-off lonely day? 
Are we patient and unselfish, 

Making earth a realm of love. 
Where our hearts may have a foretaste 

Of the perfect bliss above? 

Do we think to battle bravely 

In the morning, noon and night? 
Do we labor always, ever. 

For the sake of truth and right? 
Do we think of winning laurels 

For our poor, unworthy brows? 
Do we give to Him the honor 

Who has heard our ejjrly vows? 

Do we think? O, may we ever 

Onward press with "might and main," 
Stopping not to count the heart beats, 

Tho' each throb be full of pain- 
Working, trusting, praying— surely 

God will give us strength for all. 
And when Heaven at last we enter, 

We will count our trouble small. 



86 HEART WHISPERS. 



FLOWER CARNIVAL. 



O, the light is falling, falling, 

With its cheer upon the earth, 

And its glow is calling, calling. 
Unto joyousness and mirth. 

Lift yourself above the seeming 
That has bound your soul so long. 

Take the message that is streaming. 
In a wave of wondrous song. 

Hear the whispers from the mountains 
As they catch them from the skies. 

See the daisies by the fountains, 
Read the language of their eyes. 

Watch the sunlight's glances yearning 
O'er the child we call its own. 

See its face in answer turning 
In its stateliness alone,— 

See the love — thoughts that are shower'd 
From a Store House all complete — 

See how richly man is dower'd 
In the blossoms at his feet. 



HEART WHISPERS. 87 



Let the vision of your beiug 
Wide expand to claim it all, 

In the gladness of yoxir seeing 
Does there come no minor call? 

O, the light is beaming, beaming, 
With its touches on the land. 

And its joy is streaming, streaming, 
Will you see and understand? 

O, the light is falling, falling, 
With its kisses warm and true, 

And its glov. is calling, calling. 
Unto higher, nobler viow. 



88 HEART WHISPERS. 



BEYOND RECALL. 



Fold the still hands upon her breast, 
Close the eyelids in dreamless rest, 
Smooth the soft locks of golden light 
From off the brow so chill and Avhite. 

But place no flowers about the bed, 
Sit calmly there beside the dead; 
Speak not her name in love's own tone, 
Lot fall no sigh, no sob, no moan. 

And breathe no word of tender praise— 
You spoke them not in other days; 
Kiss not the lips so silent now. 
Drop not your tears upon her brow. 

In life you gave no loving word. 
No voice of cheer from you was heard; 
She asked for bread, you gave a stone — 
Mock not her sleep with grieving tone. 

It is not meet to offer here 
The boon she sought from year to year — 
No words from vou could bring to-night 
To her still heart a faint delight. 



HEART WHISPERS. 89 



Look on the face, so lovely j^et— 
It bears no trace of dim regret; 
Death swept away the look of pain, 
And left it calm and fair again. 

She feels no more the cruel slight, 
That hid from her love's holy light. 
Shed not your tears as penance suiall- 
The work you wrought is past recall. 



90 HEART WHISPERS. 



BABY'S RICHES. 



'I's rich, dou't 'oo siuk so, Auntie MaryV 

I s'ould soorly sinlv 'oo would— 
I bas papa, mamma, baby brover, 

Wbo's so vewy, vewy good, 
And my Uusel Phil, who's alius biingin' 

Tandy evwy day to me, 
'Tause he has no 'ittle folks to eat it 

Down at his own home, "oo see. 

'And I has 'oo, darlin' Auntie Mary, 

For 'oo tole me so to-day. 
When I came this morn to tiss and love 'oo 

Said 'oo'd never go away; 
Then I has my dranpa, too, 'oo 'member, 

Who takes bestest care os me — 
O, 'oo need not smile at me so stwangely, 

I is rich as rich can be." 

At mv feet sat dainty little Roma 

With her air of childish grace. 
Telling o'er and o'er her happy fancies 

As her sweet eyes sought my face. 
And I listened with a lighter heart-beat 

As the guileless lips went on, 
Listened till my own soul caught the spirit. 

And my weariness was gone. 



HEART WHISPERS. 91 



For the day had brought me caie aud trial 

And the shadow lingered still. 
Shutting out the tranquil gleam of beauty, 

And my life seemed lone and chill. 
But the simple prattle of this elf-child 

Chased the gloomy thought away, 
And I felt how precious were the treasures 

That I knew were mine for aye; 

Treasures that I would not dare to barter 

For the flash of rubies cold. 
For I claim the priceless gift of heart wealth 

Something better far than gold, 
Aye, and fairer than the palace builded 

By the god of wealth alone 
Is the realm where love's pure sunlight lingers. 

Making brightness all its own. 

And I drew the little teacher to me 

And within my heart I knew 
That her wise conceit had clearly given 

One sweet lesson, strong and true; 
And the lips unused to words of sorrow 

Taught my own to gladly say, 
'In the blessings that surround me evor 

I am rich—am rich to-day." 



32 HEART WHISPERS. 



DO YOU KNOW? 



Do you know I love you, dear, 
Do you know or do you hear? 
Do you heed the words I say 
As I breathe them soft and low? 
Have you gone so far away 
Friend, from all the pain and woe, 
Tliat no call from me to-night 
Will bring back an answer bright, 
Though I kneel beside you now, 
Dropping tears upon your brow? 

Do you know, though white and chill, 

That I claim you, love you still?— 

'Xeath the shadow of the pall 

Is your rest all sweet and fair; 

Do you feel my kisses fall 

On the tresses of your hair? 

Has all thought of earth been lost 

In the realm where you have crossed- 

Can no message come to me 

O'er the great dividing Sea? 



HEART WHISPERS. 9:5- 



But you know, O, friend of mine, 
In the light of love divine 
What I cannot understand 
In my sorrow^ deep and sore — 
In the brightness of that Land 
All life's mysteries are o'er, 
And you love me none the less 
In your boundless happiness, 
And you gently lead me on 
To the Haven v^'here you've gone. 



SI HEART WHISPERS. 



LOW TIDE. 



Sometimes in my doubt and sorrow, 

Wlien the day is clouded o'er, 
And no ship has come to harbor 

In the sight or sound of shore; 
When the freighted cargo passes 

Safely to another port, 
And my life, it seems, is merely 

Just the butt of wind and sport; 

When I stand alone, unaided 

By the sound of friendly voice. 
Catching not the olden cadence 

That could make my heart rejoice; 
When the calm of nature's silence 

That was wont to make me glad, 
Lies oppressive all about me 

With a meaning dull and sad, 

Then my heart goes out in yearning 

Just to leave it all and cross 
To the shore that has no murmur 

Of discordant pain and loss — 
And I catch the muffled sobbing 

Of the tide along the bay. 
As it whispers over— over— 

"Come with me away— away." 



HEART WHISPERS. 95 



A MORNING SERVICE. 



'And I will praise Thee evermore" — 

The words rang sweetly ont that moru 
Upon the Sabbath s solemn air, 

And in my heart I felt was born 
A new and wondrous sense of joy, 

A mighty peace, a thrill of love, 
O'erleaped the jarring throb of life 

And lifted me to heights above. 

'And I will praise Thee evermore" — 

In ev'ry note that rose and fell 
A message of diviner things 

Came rushing wfth its holy spell,— 
And still the music of the song 

Rose sweeter with its strain 
Of thankfulness to Him who gives 

Some cup of bliss for ev'ry pain. 

And list'ning yet with swelling heart, 

That echoed ev'ry chord of praise, 
I raised my eyes and half-way thought 

To catch an angel's smiling gaze. 
When just before me in the choir. 

Upon the alto's new fall hat. 
I saw a graceful, lifeless thing. 

That made me shiver where I sat. 



96 HEART WHISPERS. 

A poor, dead bird with snowy wing, 

And ev'ry semblance of true life — 
Yet dead. And wherefore should its soul; 

That was of ringing cheer so rife 
Be hushed? O, strange consistency 

That sings glad praises to His name 
While robbing helpless innocents 

Of their sweet right to do the same. 

A keen, discordant element 

About me seemed to quickly start— 
A choking, quiv'ring sense of pain 

Drove back the gladness from my heart: 
O, from the world's unbounded store 

With lavish gifts on every side, 
Could not these creatures all be spared 

The grasp of woman's thoughtless pride? 

And from my soul went out the cry, 

"O, singer, sing no more your song 
Till you have learned the law of love 

That will not brook the slightest wrens 
To e'en the least of all His care, 

And let the emblem that you wear 
No longer mark the cruel death 

Of God's sweet songsters of the air!" 



HEART WHISPERS. 97 



I BID THEE GO. 



I kuow there will be ulghts of sobbing. 

And sleepless vigils of pain, 
When my tears will flow like the torrents 

That pour from tlie midnight raiu; 
When the storm of wordless sorrow 

Will rage in my heart, till I 
In the gloom of my soul's denial 

Could beg and could plead to die. 

I know there will be days when nothing 

That has lived to bring me cheer 
Will seem worth knowing or seeing 

Or ever possessing here, — 
When the desolate cry and yearning 

For only thy word or smile 
Will drown all my efforts at trying 

To hush it just for a while. 

I know there will be hours of struggle 

So fierce it will seem to break 
My will, and leave me mute and helpless 

As an infant unawake; 
When no possible touch of solace, 

Save that from the God above, 
Can bring me the slightest comfort for 

Loss of thy presence and love. 



98 HEART WHISPERS. 



I stand with my arms outstretchiug, 

I fold them aijain to my breast; 
My voice dies down to a whisper— 

I know— I know it is best — 
Tho' the blood in my veins flows sluggish 

And my heart beats hard and slow 
With the stifling pain— I know it is best 

That I bid thte — bid thee go. 



HEART WHISPERS. 



TO THE CHILDREN. 



Be careful, my dears, of the words you say, 
For when they're spoken they fly away; 
You cannot catch them and bring them back, 
So quickly they take another track. 

Be careful, my dears, and speak them not— 
The wilful words that are not forgot; 
They scatter sunshine and make it night. 
While in your hearts there should be sweet light. 

Be careful, my dears, and guard it well, 
The secret chamber where thought doth dwell; 
Shut firmly the door and lock tliem out. 
The gloomy visions of sin and doubt. 

Be careful, I say, dear children all. 
Of angry words that you can't recall; 
They rankle and grow from day to day 
And steal life's beauty and joy away. 

With gentle manner, let kindly fall 
The loving words that are best of all. 
They'll make for others a glad, glad song. 
And keep you happy as the day is long. 



100 HEART WHISPERS. 



NOT MY WAY. 



Not my way, but Thine, O, Father, 

Teach Thy helpless child to say. 
When the clouds of sorrow settle 

O'er the brightness of my way; 
When the angry waves outleaping 

Beat about me where I stand. 
Hide me in Thy presence. Father, 

Hold me by Thy loving hand. 

Not my way, when o'er the mountain. 

With its passes dark and wild, 
I shall find the pathway leading 

To some weary, straying child; 
On thy bosom. Father, rest me, 

When the night comes deeply on — 
When the help of comrades fail nie. 

And my strength is almost gom'. 

Not my way, when ease and com fort 

Rise before me to allure, 
I will follow in the footsteps 

That Thy feet have made secure; 
I will take the burden given 

For my feeble hands to bear, 
And with Love's divine illuming, 

Find my duty sweet and fair 



HEART WHISPERS. 101 



Not my way— my heart will say it, 

With each swelling, bounding beat, 
And my life will take the leading 
That Thou seest wise and meet, 
Resting in the sweet assurance 
"Thou wilt guide me with Thine eye"- 
Knowing endless joy awaits me 
In the cloudless bye-and-bye. 



102 HEART WHISPERS. 



WE TWO. 



We loved each other thea — we two, 

All our sweet dreams we held so true— 
We never thought that they Avould fade 

From out the palace that we made, — 
With loving faith that knew no doubt, 

Their gentle beams shone brightly out; 
A beauteous throng of joy and light 

That charmed the day and hid the night 
Ah, how we watched them with delight, 
We two. 

The days were fair— O, never, friend, 

Will such bright shades in beauty blend 
As those which lit the sunny hours 

Where we in gladness plucked the flow'rs- 
We did not fear to lose them all, 

We little recked that blight would fall; 
Our hearts wei-e full— each restless beat 

Was swelling with a bliss complete— 
We lived and loved in love's retreat. 
We two. 

We lived and loved— I lost you, dear. 
And all is changed, I miss you here, 

Amid the scenes that once you knew, 
I wait and watch, and long for you: 



HEART WHISPERS. 103 



It is not life for me— this flight 

Of years, since I have lost the light 

Of your pure eyes. Our souls were one, 
And when you left at set of sun 

It faded all, the life we had begun 
In trust. 

I lost you? Nay, it is not so; 

You still are mine, all mine, I know. 
For I was bitter in my cry 

And could not see that bye-and-bye 
It would be well for me as you, 

Since God is good and wise and tiue 
Tho' in my grief's unbroken sway 

"Thy will be done" was hard to say, 
But He will bring us one sweet day 
At last. 

And we shall meet again— we two. 

Beyond the skies of mystic blue, 
Upon the fair and better shore. 

With love as deep and strong as yore, 
You wait to greet me in the light 

That never, never kuoweth night; 
And we shall walk the fair new ways. 

Our lips shall sing the glad, glad lays. 
Our hearts shall give unbounded praise 
To God. 



lai HEART WHISPERS. 



MY SUFFICIENCY. 

Should every drop of joy be drained 

From out the cup of life. 

And dreams that are so rife 
With beauty and with happy light, 
Be doomed to suffer utter blight, 
O. Lord, whose love I have obtained, 

To guard and circle ev'ry day, 

My soul would look to Thee and say: 
'Thou art my hiding lilace, my rest, 
I wait in peace and know 'tis best." 

Should ev'ry friend whose love has lent 

Unto my heart its cheer, 

Foi'sake and leave me here, 
I know I still would have Thee left, 
Thou sure support. Tho' all bereft 
Of sympathies so quickly spent, 

I could not suffer hurt or loss, 
Tho' bowed by pain and heavy cross, 
With Thine own Self— Thy voice. Thy love, 
To lift me tenderly above 
It all; I know I ne'er shall need 
With Thine own hand to guard and lead. 
And so I dread it not— the ways 
That may unfold in future days; 
I cling to Thee, my All in All, 
And rest secure, whate'er befall. 



HEART WHISPERS. 105 



IF I COULD TAKE IT BACK. 



If I could take it back, 

The hasty, thoughtless deed, 
The heedless word that caused 

A loving heart to bleed; 
If I could blot thera out 

And leave the record white, 
O, glad would be my heart 

In its review to-night. 

If I could take it back— 

The love I cast aAvay, 
How fully would my heart 

Accept the gift to-day— 
My life henceforth, I know 

No dream of joy would lack, 
If, from the days agone 

My soul could win it back. 

If I could take them back. 

The errors of my life — 
And weave a golden chain 

Without a link of strife, 
With no dark flaws to mar 

The bi'ightness of its gleam, 
How sweet and fair my life 

With all its work would seem. 



106 HEART WHISPERS. 



But it is past recall. 

The work of vanished years- 
I canuot change one gleam 

Of sunshine or of tears; 
The future I would fill 

With better, nobler deeds. 
That still shall live and bless 

When my life's day recedes. 



HEART WHISPERS. lOT 



DISAPPOINTED. 



I hear the sound of laughter 

From chiklreu at their play, 
Their riugiug shouts of gladness 

Come floating o'er the way; 
I hear their merry prattle 

In tones so childish sweet. 
And put aside my writing 

And look out on the street. 

I sit and watch their faces, 

All bright with happy thought, 
And wonder at the changes 

The fleeting years have brought; 
How strange to find life's Springtime 

Has lost its early bloom. 
And I, alone, am watching 

The children from my room. 

And as I gaze with eyesight 

So strangely keen to-day, 
A picture comes before me 

That will not go away,— 
I see a brighter pathway 

Than I have ever trod, 
A path whose peace and beauty 

Leads nearer unto God. 



108 HEART WHISPERS. 



I see far back Avhere footsteps 

Began to tread life's way, 
Where first a maiden's day dream 

Was wove in colors gay; 
The trusting eys so fondly 

Looked down the coming years, 
And built a royal palace 

With heart devoid of fears. 

And then two roads diverging 

Before her choosing came, 
The one held love's fruition, 

The other led to fame; 
She stood a while uncertain. 

Then took the gilded way 
And started on the journey 

That led from love away. 

Then on and on she traveled, 

Past places she had known. 
O'er pathways dark and rugged, 

O'er ledges overgrown; 
Her feet were often weary, 

Her heart was overwrought, 
Yet on and on she struggled 

To gain the goal she sought. 



HEART WHISPERS. 10^ 



And uow to-day she finds it 

A barren height so cold, 
The sunlight has no power 

To warm it with its gold,— 
She fain would sell the glory 

Of all the honor there 
If she could find one blossom 

To scent the frozen air. 



She learns it was too costly, 

The price she paid to find 
A place of isolation 

Above the common mind; 
Her hungry soul is crying 

For what she cast away, 
She longs and longs for home love 

And loving ones to-day. . 



She sees the children playing 

Across the little street- 
She hears their ringing laughter 

In tones so childish sweet, 
I know— I— O. God, 'twas I 

Who bartered Heaven's bliss 
For utter desolation 

And loneliness like this! 



110 HEART WHISPERS. 



I THANK THEE. 



I thank Thee, Father, for the cheering glow 

Of Thy sweet love upon my way— 
That Thou hast driven back the cloud of night 

And ushered in the smile of day: 
That Thou hast led me on with tenderness, 

With Thy dear hand upon my own, 
And given to my wearied heart the sound 

And comfort of Thy soothing tone — 
I thank Thee! thank Thee! 

I thank Thee, Father, thit the sympathy 

Of Thy dear children unto me 
Has failed me not, that human Avords 

And love's abounding ministry, 
From unforgetful hearts have come to me 
Like starlight thro' the midnight sky— 
And sweetly brightened all and called 

■ From out my glad responsive heart the cry, 
I thank Thee! thank Thee! 



HEART WHISPERS. Ill 



I thank Thee that the cup Thou gavest me 

To drink, I had not power to dash 
Aside, tho' bitter was the draught it held, 

And to my being came the flash 
of pain and agony that shook my frame, 

And held me writhing in its spell- 
It was a tonic to my soul, and taught 

Me better how to say through all—" "Tis well, 
I thank Thee! thauk Thee! 

For all, for all that Thou hast sent to me 

Throughout the year departed now 
I thank Thee, loving Father, reading well 

The siu-e fulfillmejt of Thy vow. 
To keep me ever in Thy perfect sight— 

And lead me always to the best. 
E'en tho' the garden wet with sorrows' rain 

Lie 'twixt me and the place of rest- 
Still, still— I thank Thee! 



112 HEART WHISPERS. 



HOMESICK FOR HEAVEN. 



I would be brave and earnest hearted, 

I would be strong to do my best. 
But from my heart again is started 

A longing for thy Home of rest,— 
I cannot keep it back, the yearning 

O, father, for thy presence now— 
To see thy eyes upon me turning. 

To feel thy hand upon my brow. 

I am a-weary of the trying 

Of earthly ways of bitter-sweet,— 
I fain would hush my sad soul's crying 

And sit to-night low at thy feet,— 
To hear thy voice in gentle gladness 

Speak unto me its tender cheer, 
Dispelling with its love the sadness 

That has so daikly met me here. 

I know— I know that Heav'n is near me, 

So near with soothing ministry 
That angels gently stoop to hear me 

With offers of SAveet sympathy. 
'Tis meet that I should bear the sorroAV 

And nobly face life's heavy fight,— 
Rut O, whatev'r zest may come to-monow, 

I long for Home and thee to-night! 



HEART WHISPERS. 113 



I LOVE YOU. 

I love you, Maurice, 

Every impiilse of my being 
Strongly turns to thee. 

And my heart is full of gladness only 
When there lives for me 

The sure consciousness of thy affection 
'Round my life — 

Shutting out the murmur and the discord 
And the sound of strife. 

I love you, Maurice, 

Whether heart and brain are overweary 
Or with joy are filled. 

As the day is warmed and blessed by sunshine 
And by light is thrilled, 

So I find from out thy sweet approval 
Glad content, 

While thy tender care and thy protection 
Are so freely lent. 

I love you, Maurice, 

Know it— for my words can never utter 
What my heart would say. 

And believe me when I tell you, darling, 
That I live from day to day 

First for God, then all for thee— 
O, dear heart, 

Love me, and forgive me when I blunder 
In my daily part. 

And let me nestle closer to thee — 
Closer to thy heart. 



114 HEART WHISPERS. 



'LITTLE SISTER." 



Cheeks of olive, eyes of candor, 
Soft and brown and full of fun, 

Then again as grave and solemn 
As the glances of a nun. 

Lips whose language brightly changes 

With the changing thought within — 
Free and frank the message flashes, 

Showing where the heart has been. 

Naught uncertain from her meets you 
When you learn to read her true. 

Open as the sunlight's shining, 
And as constant and as true. 

Though no tie of kin imites us, 

And we're often far apart, 
Yet I love her and I call her 
"Little Sister"— of my heart. 



HEART WHISPERS. 115 



WHY SHOULD IT BE? 



It sometimes seems the way that I have gone 

Has been so drear, so barren of true joy, 

That from my heart is wrung the doubting cry, — 

Why sliould it be — why should it be, O, Lord, 

WIio leadeth me in ways I know not of? 

Why should the ei\p that other hands may raise 

Be snatched from me, and but the bitter lees 

Be left for my poor lip^ to talie their comfort from? 

It sometimes seems the dearest friends I've known 

Have turned their faces to the fairer few 

And put the thought of me aside to let 

It come no more again to plead for me, — 

And then my hungry soul cries out anew 

For just a taste of love to helj) me live 

The better life, the nobler, better way. 

And reap at last the harvest rich with peace and rest. 

And when defeat has moclved the cherished hopes 

That I have had to rise to higher view 

And clearer air and broader horizon ; 

When I have thought to help some deeper need 

And met repulse and ill-concealed scorn, 

Misunderstood and sick with rackiug thought. 

Could it be wrong that 1 should bow my head 

And ask: Why should it be— why should it be, O, Lord? 



116 HEART WHISPERS. 



And when the homesick feeling for the touch 

Of fingers that are rigid in their clasp 

Comes rushing to me with the far-off sound 

Of voices that but faintly reach my ear; 

When visions of the faces that I loved 

Rise up before my longing sight 

And I so iieenly feel the void and loneliness, 

Thou wilt forgive the sin my breaking heart impels 

If once again should come to Thee the wailing quest, 

Why should it be, O, Lord, why should it be? 



HEART WHISPERS. 117 



"I LOVE MY TEACHER," 



A sentence brief. I told them each 

To bring me on the morrow, 
A little class of girls and boys 

With hearts all free from sorrow; 
I bade them write each word with care, 

That I might see how neatly 
The willing hands could do the work— 

They gave the promise sweetly. 

The next day came with all its cares, 
It found them in their places, 

I saw the eager light flit o'er 
Their merry, earnest faces, 

I took the papers that they brought 
And smiling read them over. 

And thus they'd briefly written out: 

"The dew-drops kiss the clover," 

"The birdies warl>le in the grove," 

"The day is bright and sunny," 
"Bob Harwood is a jolly boy," 
"Our baby is so funny." 
I read aloud these childish thoughts 
And paused to praise them duly, 
For I was proud to know not one 
Had been at all unruly. 



118 HEART WHISPERS. 



And then at last. I took from one — 

A modest little creature, 
A tiny slip on which I read 

The words, "I love my teacher;" 
The sweet, shy eyes looked into mine 

With all faith's perfect beauty, 
So glad, so happy in the thought 

That she had done her duty. 



My eyes grew misty as I stood 

Before them there, and I thought 
She little knew the lesson true 

That her simple words had taught; 
A keen rebuke they were to me, 

A sense of sadness giving, 
As swiftly to my mind there came 

My poor, unworthy living. 



I thought of days of ceaseless work 

When I was worn and weary. 
When aching feet had made the way 

Seem almost rough and dreary, 
And I had tried so hard to teach 

The truth as they should hear it — 
And now these children shamed my weak 

And sometimes shrinking spirit. 



HEART WHISPERS. 119 



O, we grown children in life's school 

Thro' ev'ry changing feature, 
Do we sit at the Master's feet 

And say "I love my Teacher?" 
Do we His bidding nobly do, 

Through ways of gloom or beauty, 
And with the fervent glow of love 

As bravely do our dutyV 



120 HEART WHISPERS. 



THE ABIDING PRESENCE. 



Why should I doubt or question, 

Why should I sorrow sore, 
When hopes and dreams forsake me 

To glad me never jnore? — 
Why should I dread the future, 

Tho' storms should lash my feet, 
There lies before me ever 

A place of sure retreat. 

Why should I murmur ever — 

His path was lone and wild. 
And should 1 ask for better, 

I, but His little child? 
I know whatever meets me, 

Or joy, or pain, or woe, 
His perfect love unchanging 

Lies round the imth I go. 

A thousand voices tell me 

By day and silent night. 
The Lord His watch is keeping 

With tokens sure and bright; 
The language of the waters 

Adown the mountain stream 
Is rich with one sweet message 

Of hope's inspiring gleam. 



HEART WHISPERS. 121 



I catch upon the breezes 

The sound of floating cheer, 
The leaves in dancing motion 

Talk sweetly to my ear, — 
The sunlight, with its kisses, 

Upon the broad world's face, 
Is dashing golden meshes 

Upon my path apace. 

And still when waves of anguish, 

"With deep and sudden moan. 
Sweep o'er my soul their torrents, 

There lies an undertone 
Of solace— a calming voice 

That says "Be still, be still," 
And resting on His bosom, 

I learn His loving will. 



122 HEART WHISPERS. 



IN HOC SPERO. 



I shall find you, O, my darling! 

Somewhere in the realm of light. 
When my life has cast behind it 

E'en its mem'ry of the night; 
In the morning when the glimmer 

Of the dawn upon the hills, 
Gives its warmth unto the current 

Of the darkly shadowed rills. 

I shall find you, O, my darling! 

With the throng who dwell for aye, 
Where the sting of pain and sorrow 

Has forever passed away; 
I shall find you, sm*ely— surely, 

And my heart has lost its moan 
In its eager looking forward 

To reclaim and keep its own. 



HEART WHISPERS. 123 



GOD IS GOOD. 



From the dawn of early morning 

With its flush of rosy light, 
Comes a breath of wondrous sweetness, 

Brushing back the shades of night; 
Floating voices softly whisper 

In a language understood, 
While the breezes catch the echo 
"God is good— God is good." 

Thrilling notes of joyous music 

With their sweet, unconscious cheer, 
Send afloat th.^ bird thanksgiving, 
"God is good, He sent us here." 
And the tiny buds and blossoms, 

With their gems of sparkling dew. 
In a silent wave of gladness. 
They repeat the story, too. 

Merry sunbeams glancing downward 

Thro' a maze of light and shade. 
Brightly shine upon the regions 

That His loving hand has made. 
And the shower^5 far from cloud-land. 

Seem to fall with ceaseless mirth. 
To proclaim the matchless goodness 

That has sent them to the earth. 



124 HEART WHISPERS. 



Bird and blossom, suu and shower. 

Give their meed of gratefnl praise, 
And shall we, with all His bounty 

Filling up the passing days, 
Close our hearts and lose the beauty 

That He meant our lives should know- 
Giving coldness for the ardor 

That our faith should ever show? 

God is good, we do not question, 

Tho' He take from us our own, 
For He giveth to them treasures 

That the earth has never known, 
And they woo us by the power 

Of a deep and deathless love, 
To a purer, brighter pathway 

Leading to their home above. 

When the even with its twilight 

Gentlj^ lulls the day to rest, 
And the crimson glow is fading 

From the glory of the west, 
Then our eyes may read the mj^sfries 

That we have not understood, 
And within the heavenly portals 

Still we'll say "Our God is good." 



HEART WHISPERS. 125 



THE SONG OF A DAY. 



Life was so sweet a thing, I tliought, 
Tliat morniug wlien the sunshine wrought 
A brighter glory than had shone 
Before upon a world of song; 
Dull care gave up his ebon throne 
Unto the reign of one vast throng 
Of joyous deities. The fields 
Were richer in their fragrant yields 
Of waving bloom, and o'er the land 
A flood of music wild and free 
Went sweeping with a melody 
That made my full heart understand 
The language of the wide world's lay. 
For with the dawning of that day 
Love had birth. 

Life was so drear a thing, I thought 
That evening, when its coming brought 
A deeper shadow than had thrown 
Its darkness on my path before; 
The echo of the day had flown. 
The birds had sought another shore, 



126 HEART WHISPERS. 



And life was empty as the stream 
Whose fount is dry. No olden gleam 
Of skies touched o'er Avith silver dots, 
Spread out its cheer above my head— 
The very heart of joy was dead, 
Its record written out with blots. 
And only silence held its sway. 
For with the closing of tliat day 
Love had died. 



HEART WHISPERS. 127 



HARLEY. 



Boyish face, where childish frankness 

Stamps itself in lines so plain 
That my heart gi-ows glad in watching 

This dear picture, where the pain 
And the wrong of life is lacking. 

Not the shadow of a mark 
To betray the future dawning 

Of a day that may be dark; 
Boyish heart— God keep its whiteness 

Ever pure as it is now, 
And when childhood years have vanished 

And the frost is on his brow, 
Peaceful life and spotless honor 

May his noble deeds allow. 



128 HEART WHISPERS. 



MY REASON. 

O, darling, 

If God should take you from my life 

Of gladness and content, 
And I were left with memories 

Of words I had not meant, — 
Of unkind deeds and thoughtlessness 

And petulance and pride, 
I could not live and bear my pain 

Should fate like this betide. 

O, darling, 

If God should take me from your heart, 

Your warm, true heart, one day. 
And you should see with clearer sight 

When I had gone away, 
That you had sometimes been too slow 

With words of love and praise 
And quick to chide — O, how regret 

Would haunt your future days! 

O, darling, 

Tis not alone for present life 

Of happiness and joy 
That I would guard our lives from all 

That could to-day annoy, 
And if sometimes I seem to be 

O'er-watchful in my care, 
'Tis but to Save thy heart and mine 

From hours of lone despair. 



HEART WHISPERS. 129 



IN CHEYENNE CANON. 

Pause here, pause here and rest a while. 

And sight and sound thy being will beguile 

Into the rapture of majestic calm, 

As round about thee falleth Nature's psalm, 

That stills the strange, discordant sound of strife, 

And hushes into rest the jar of life; 

List to the music low and wondrous sweet 

From lofty tree, and brooklet at thy feet; 

Look up, behold the grandeur of the view— 

The walls uplifted with their purple hue 

That shadow tosses there, till streaks of gold 

Fall from the sunshine's laughing hold 

In fields of light and bathe the high | 

On-reaching peaks that seem to touch the sky — 

The peaks that show the day a smiling face 

And give unto the night a stately grace. 

Pause now, and gaze before thee and behind j 

This way and that, some marvel yet to find, 

A strange enchantment lingers o'er each nook, i 

Bewildered and amazed the eye will look 

And look again, yet weary not, for here 

The rival glories in their full appear 

And holdeth by the magic of some pow'r 

Unto the place, the wand'rer hour by hour, 



130 HEART WHISPERS. 

Where every sense the beauty loving know 
Is feasted to a royal overflow. 
The views sublime crush out thy boastful pride, 
Thy tenderness in flow'rets by thy side 
Finds fresh delight,— the reaching out of wills 
New impetus is given by the hills, 
Whose lofty tow'r says ever unto thee, 
"Come up into the air so pure and free, 
Where taint and wrong can never here molest 
The holy solace of thy love and rest." 

Look out, O, eyes of doubt, upon the scene 
That lies before thee like a wondrous screen, 
On-wrought by Artist Hand of matchless skill, 
That changes shadow into light at will, 
A screen that shuts behind its rocky wall 
The troubled world, and every wearing call; 
Look up, O heart, and let thy spirit's flight 
Reach on forever past the ghostly night 
Of questionings that make thee but distrest; 
Look up— and view the Author of thy rest 
And give the ardor of abounding praise 
To Him who wrought the marvel of these ways. 



HEART WHISPERS. 131 



AT THE LAST. 



Sit here beside me, darling, 

And soothe my aching brow, 
I want you always near me — 

I am so weary now; 
Your love, so strong and tender, 

Has made my pathway bright, 
And as you linger by me 

I know it lives to-night. 

Sit here beside me, darling. 

And hold my hand in thine. 
Stoop down and kiss me gently, 

Release will soon be mine — 
I know the watch is weary,— 

The long night watch with pain. 
But you and I will keep it 

No more on earth again. 

Sit here beside me, darling. 

You make the darkness light. 
The darkness that is falling 

Upon my dimming sight; 
The sweet breath of your whispers 

Upon my dulling ear 
Drives back the chilling shadows, 

And angels come so near. 



132 HEART WHISPERS. 



Sit here beside me, darling, 

The dawn is breaking now,- 
I feel soft breezes blowing 

Across my peaceful brow; 
I catch sweet strains of music, 

My soul is wondrous glad — 
I leave thee, O love!— come soon— 

Your heart must not be sad. 



HEART WHISPERS. 133 



IF I SHOULD MISS IT. 



That far-off shore, the realm of light, 
That knows no gloom, no shade of night, 
The perfect bliss that dwelleth there, 
The dazzling beauty pure and fair— 
Ah, all my work thro' weary pain 
And life itself were spent in vain. 
If I should miss it. 

The radiant grandeur of that clime, 
So far beyond the drift of time. 
Our earth-bound eyes cannot look thro' 
To watch the glory of the view, 
And yet I know the loss to me 
Must full of deepest anguish be, 
If I should miss it. 

The thought of honors proudly gained, 
The laurel wreath of fame attained. 
Would bring at last no throb of pride 
When near the dark and rushing tide,— 
No glory past would compensate, 
And sad indeed would be my fate. 
If I should miss it. 



134 HEART WHISPERS. 



In that sweet Land I kuow they dwell, 
The lost of earth I loved so well, 
In visions oft I see them now 
With wreaths of glory on their brow, 
They gently beckon ine up there- 
Aye, dark would be the long despair, 
If I should miss it. 

O, Thou! who heeds the trusting pray'r, 
Let me not wander from Thy care; 
Help me to nobly work and wait 
Till I shall reach the golden gate, 
And then I'll nothing have to fear. 
For with Thy loving presence near, 
I shall not miss it. 



HEART WHISPERS. 135 



MAY DAY IN THE COUNTRY. 



I would not go from out the glad eudeavor 

Of life and living as it is to-day, 
I would not have the subtle chain to sever 

And float my bark upon the tide away; 
There is such joy in drinking in the measure 

Of fuller freedom like the winging bird 

A-sail the sea of slvy, its music heard 
Outpouring gratitude for summer pleasure; 
There is such joy in breathing and in being, 
Where sight and sense is open to the seeing 
Of nature's wide munificence of flowers, 
And wooded lands begirt with scented bowers; 
The mossy banks, where tender vines are creeping, 
And meadows green a-down the valley sweeping. 
And bleat of lamb and sound of cattle lowing. 
With one sweet breath of harmony outflowing 
O'er all this realm of brightness and of beauty; 
I could live on forever with the duty 
Of sterner tasks to fill the long day's doing. 
And find no hardness in the way pursuing. 
With sunshine's glint and wild birds' happy singing, 
Unto my heart a wondrous message bringing 
Of fuller life and deeper cheer, Avith sadness 
Subdued and hushed by call of thrilling gladness. 



136 HEART WHISPERS. 



THE DAY HE DIED. 



I, who had always found a dearth of strife, 
And much of light through e'en the darkest way, 
Who drank from out the brimming cup of life 
A sweet, delicious draught from day to day, 
Aud let my full heart speak its fullness out 
Unchecked, unshadowed by a touch of doubt; 
I, who had felt as other lives may feel, 
The wondrous lifting up of love's appeal, 
Was left alone, bereft thai day. 

I, who had reveled in the light and glow 
Of nature, and had caught the song of bird, 
The murmur of the woods and rills below 
The grassy kuoll, whose summit heard 
The first glad kisses of the sunbeams fall 
At dawn upon the buds and tree-tops tall; 
I, who had breathed the sweet, refreshing air 
And felt each heart throb send aloft a prayer. 
Was unresponsive to it all. 



HEART WHISPERS. 137 

There was uo glint of sky, nor sun, nor light, 
The olden music of the earth was still; 
My eyes looked out upon a sweep of night 
And felt its darkness touch me with a chill 
Of mute, oppressive woe, that held me there, 
A powerless child, too stricken for a prayer 
To flutter up and whisper out its need 
Into His ear, and yet His love would heed 
My dumb, unspoken cry. 

No friend could reach me in that hour of loss- 
No friend save God— no heart save his own heart 
Could speak to mine, and place the fallen cross 
Upright again, and touch the bleeding smart 
Into a healed whole, and show me that the best 
Had come to him I loved— a perfect rest,— 
And looking out upon the western sky 
That cleared and glowed, I knew my sad heart's cry 
Had been a selfish moan, and with the thought 
A calm, a nameless peace was wrought 
That led my trembling lips to say 
That all wns best— was best that day. 



138 HEART WHISPERS. 



IN THE FIRELIGHT. 



What do I see in the firelight, sister, 

You ask with your loving eyes, 
As you sit here close beside me watching 

My face with a mild surprise. 
The soft glow falls on your raven tresses 

And touches your rounded cheek 
While in your gaze there's a quiet wonder 

That I am so slow to speak. 

What do I see in the firelight, sister, 

You' ask in your gentle way. 
What do I see? Just the fleeting vision 

Of a long lost happy day. 
The day is dead, but the tender mem'ry 

Lives on— it canuot die, 
And I see to-night its flashing beauty 

And its stretch of sunny sky. 

I can see the golden willows swaying 

Far down o'er the rippling stream. 
And the dear old hill where the pink and white 

Of the apple blossoms gleam; 
I hear the birds and the echoed music 

Of a voice I used to know—' 
Ah, 3"ou have led me back, my love, to where 

It is best I should not go. 



HEART WHISPERS. 13^ 



MOTHER. 



The first of all tlie friends I ever knew, 

The dearest and the best, 
Whose thoughtfulness outflowing is more true 

And constant than the rest; 
Whose love no error from her child could turn, 

But in the deepest loss, 
In tender, angel-wise would fondly yearn 

To bear the heavy cross. 
O, mother! glad would be my heart to-day 
If I could scatter o'er thy ev'ning way 
A sweeter comfort and a sunny cheer. 
That would dispel all sorrow from thee here; 
Dear mother, this my fond heart's longing prayer. 
That I may add no burden to thy care, 
But with a true and loving ministry 
Repay some measure of thy toil for me. 



140 HEART WHISPERS. 



ASPIRING. 



I said to my soul, "Go forward 

And drink from Pierian spring, 
Sit close by the stream and listen 

To the songs the Muses sing, 
And give to the world the music 

That it has not heard before; 
A song to entrance the number 

Who are treading life's great shore." 

I said to my soul "Look onward 

To the fields as yet unwon 
And glean in thy march the glory 

To outmatch the noonday sun; 
Stop not at the sounds about thee 

At the cries that bid thee stay, 
But march with a dauntless courage 

Far out into fame's highway." 

I said to my soul, "Climb higher. 

Break loose from thy prison bars. 
And mount to the lofty summit 

Of a realm amid the stars; 
Shut out from thy ears the murmur, 

Of the common crowd below, 
And on with a flight unfailing 

Past the line of chill and snow." 



HEART WHISPERS. 141 



But my soul with quick discerumeut, 

Shrank back from the dream of fame, 
And begged for a surer portion 

Thau the glitter of a name, 
And down at the crystal waters 

Of love's untroubled spring, 
It quaffed the satisfaction 

That only love can bring. 



142 HEART WHISPERS. 



KEEP SUNNY. 



Keep sunny, my dear, keep sunny and bright, 
I know it is hard, I know it is trying, 
But there's no use at all, no use in crying. 
And fretting and turning your face from the light, 
That still is left shining to gladden your sight. 

Keep sunny, my dear, keep sunny and sweet, 
Out in the sunshine the birds are all singing, 
And in the glad strain this message is ringing, 
O, listen and hear as the soft notes repeat, 
"Keep sunny, my dear, keep sunny and sweet" 



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